Serving My Country

Why this fourth-generation American moved to Israel and joined the Israel Defense Forces.

My great grandfather escaped Europe about 100 years ago, before World War I. Legend has it he made the last boat out. Seems like almost everyone made the last boat; there must have been a lot of last boats.

As a ten-year-old kid, I looked as American as you can get. But deep down I lived a completely different life. I lived in the shadows of the thousands of Jews fleeing Europe to get to one place: Israel.

I can see in front of me the faces of those fleshless Jews packed like sardines in fishing boats, when they first saw the shores of the Holy Land.

The boats that made it docked, and the men and women were given guns and taken to fight for their long lost country that they didn’t even get to know yet. The children and the elderly were taken to different kibbutzim. Those were the stories I grew up with. Even when I lived near Beverly Hills, I knew that across the ocean was my real home.

When I was 19, leading a band enjoying the summer in the Catskill mountains, those pictures didn't stop flashing in front of me. So I made a decision, no turning back. I got myself a job as an ice-cream man at a pizza shop in Woodbourne, made enough money to buy myself a one-way ticket to Israel and a little spending cash.

And there I was living in Jerusalem, 22 years old, married with two kids, but for some reason I still felt that there some part was missing.

Why shouldn't I be able to join those faces, those Jewish warriors? If boney, sick Jews did it, so can a fourth-generation American!

Well with the help of General Effie Eitam, my dream came true. I became a soldier in the Israeli army.

I still can’t forget those moments of putting on the green uniform, the tears rolling down my cheeks. I was surrounded by a bunch of other Jews from around the globe -- South America, South Africa, Australia, Germany, Ethiopia, India, Russia, France, Turkey. We even had someone from Iran.

We all had those same butterflies in our stomachs, similar to the ones I had on my wedding day. The feeling of Jews coming back to our homeland from literally all over the world.

After my service I felt that I didn’t do enough, so I joined an officer's course to become a “combat chaplain” (I think that it only exist in Israel).

We learned leadership skills, army tactics and strategies, and most of all we learned that “one for all and all for one” is really a Jewish saying.

For one of our training sessions, we were dropped off in pairs in the middle of the desert after memorizing the maps for a couple of days. We had to meet up in a certain point by the end of the day after collecting certain flags. The ground looks completely different than they do on maps. A slight dip on paper was in fact a huge valley. We regrouped and climbed up Camel Mountain (it didn’t get its name for nothing) in war formation, keeping my eyes looking in all directions for the mock enemy.

The climb was very hard. I felt like I wasn't going to make it to the top. From the corner of my eye I noticed Asher, one of the biggest guys from my team, kneeling down on a rock breathing deeply. “I’m not going to make it…”

“No Asher, it’s all of us or none of us!”

“I can’t. Forget about me. You guys go…”

“No way.”

It took three of us to drag him along, rotating every couple of minutes. Toward the end all the teams started running to the finish line. Under his deep breathing Asher said, “Go -- I'll catch up!” but we just kept carrying him along.

We all made it. Our team was last but deep down inside we knew that we were first. Later that night our squad commander said Asher was the number one soldier.

The sun was setting and we lined up for Hatikva and “Ani Ma'amin.” Those same tears came flowing down, only a little less since I was dehydrated from a long day in the desert. The faces from the dehydrated Jews in the fishing boats flashed before my eyes. I thought to myself, I am now here with you… sorry for taking so long to catch up, but I am here, and this time to stay.

Joining the IDF has changed my life. In addition to the confidence, sense of accomplishment and discipline, I discovered a connection to something greater, to my nation and its land. The fulfillment of being part of the long chain of my Jewish ancestors. Fighting side by side with other Jews from around the world, no matter what background, prepared to fight any enemy that may come up against us.

That’s why I took upon myself the project to help as many Jews from around the world to come and volunteer in the IDF. It is now possible for Jewish kids without Israeli citizenship to come and volunteer in combat infantry units in the IDF. For more information visits our new website at aishmachal.com.

Living in Israel and serving my country I feel I am the next link in the chain of history.

The opinions expressed in the comment section are the personal views of the commenters. Comments are moderated, so please keep it civil.

Visitor Comments: 23

(23)
maureenostro21@gmail.com,
August 15, 2014 8:16 PM

blessings to all who protect > Israel

U are great asset to Israel courageous fearless wonderful people Hashemi. Will prot ectopic u all

(22)
Sara Springer,
April 23, 2010 4:23 AM

Your heart represents the soul of Israel

My father was on one of the boats you described. You are right. They were given a a rifle (many didn't even shoot) before they knew their country. Your story and feelings are very real to me. My daughter wants to serve in the IDF for her gap year if that is possible. Your generation is yet another response to the Shoah. Yasher Koach and thank you!

(21)
judy Katsof,
April 23, 2010 12:10 AM

nachas

to my A.Y., I am so proud of you. your kindergarten teacher was right. the more trouble they cause, the more nachas they give. what more could a mother want? you couldnt have done it without your Rivka. Love, Ema xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

(20)
Malcolm Moffat Nyambe,
April 22, 2010 8:09 PM

Find me a friend.Am a chaplain in the zambia air force.

I always enjoy anything about Israel and go guys go i pray for yuo.

(19)
Fred,
April 21, 2010 3:06 AM

You Are To Be Commended

Loved your inspiring story. Good luck and you are the best. If I was younger I would do the same.

(18)
Anonymous,
April 21, 2010 2:41 AM

God bless you!

You make all who love Israel proud!

(17)
sabba and safta,
April 20, 2010 3:49 PM

well written and pictured, gets you in the guts

wish we were 21 again. all young Jews should see this.

(16)
Debra Nussbaum Stepen,
April 20, 2010 3:33 PM

Yasher Koach A.Y.!

I remember you when you were just a little boy back in Los Angeles. I am so proud of you. I made Aliyah 3 years ago and have been living the dream too. Happy Yom Hatzmaut to you and your family.
Debra Nussbaum Stepen

(15)
ay katsof,
April 20, 2010 3:25 PM

to shlomo shulman

hey andy!
chaiplains exist in other army's
its combat chaplains where they actuali go out to war in the front lines. that i dont think exist any were else.

(14)
Anonymous,
April 20, 2010 2:18 PM

IDF needs you!

I think it is wonderful you did this. I can understand the deep roots you feel in serving your country. Israel IDF is the best in the world. I would recommend any Jewish background persons to join the IDF. It's more than defending Israel, also our biblical roots--very important and purposeful! One of my Grandpa's was in WWI and the other in WWII. MY Dad was in the U.S. Army during the Koren war. I was an Airforce wife during the Russia Missile crisis, and my husband worked on missles here in the U.S. The wives were apart of the military just as much as their enlisted husbands. I have talked to former Navy wives and former Army wives, and they were not part of it like us Airforce wives were. I had to go to classes at Headquarters in Omaha, just like he did. One of my Nephews just finished his 6 yr term with the Airforce in Washington DC. I am military! However I would recommend a Jewish person to go fight for Israel in the IDF, they need you more. You are not just fighting for Israel, furthermore, for your family, past and future. Go for it, it's a great life!

(13)
anonymous in NY,
April 20, 2010 11:22 AM

As a mother of a lone soldier, I am so proud of you and all the others who have had he "guts" to leave home and go "HOME" to help rebuilt and prepare it for the coming of Mashiach. May Hashem watch you all and may you continue climbing and aspiring and reaching new heights, always.

(12)
Shlomo Shulman,
April 20, 2010 4:00 AM

AY!?

Hey AY, you look great! We're proud of you, what a great article... However, there are Jewish chaplains in a bunch of armies. In fact, I'm one myself in the US Army, stationed in Seoul, Korea. Keep up the great work, and write some more for aish.com when you can...

(11)
Lisa,
April 19, 2010 7:21 PM

Lone Soldiers book by Herb Keinon

To read inspiring stories about other lone soldiers of the IDF who are volunteering to defend the State of Israel, read Herb Keinon's book "Lone Soldiers: Israel's Defenders from Around the World."

(10)
Batsheva,
April 19, 2010 3:02 PM

Yashar Koach!

Defending Israel is the highest honor!
There is a wonderful book I just read about people like yourself from all over the world coming to defend Israel called, "Lone Soldier" by Herb Keinon. It is so inspiriational and should be recommended for anyone who is thinking about your decision or for people who don't understand why Israel is so unique!

(9)
Frank R. Cox Jr.,
April 18, 2010 9:05 PM

Stand tall, firm in your faith!

I'm not jewish, just want you to know I think highly of you for this action you have taken! Israel needs more like you, and I say BRAVO!

(8)
Tiby Eilen,
April 18, 2010 8:06 PM

You're inspiring!!

It's awesome to learn of your strong Israeli connections. All of our young people should feel this way; we need your powerful message to help to bring them back. You are inspirational. I'm so proud of you! Kol hakavod!!

(7)
Elaine Hochman,
April 18, 2010 6:08 PM

Beautifull!!

I was moved to tears when I red your story.
We need more people like you.

(6)
Chaya,
April 18, 2010 5:49 PM

Toda Raba

Thank you for coming here and defending our country!

(5)
Aaron Rosloff,
April 18, 2010 5:06 PM

Your wife must be very brave also. How did she manage with two kids? How about income?

(4)
lori schlakman,
April 18, 2010 3:30 PM

we have been inspired by you from day 1! that is why we are sending our only son a 5th generation american to join machal program.we can not be prouder of his decision and although i am not with out worries I know that this will make my son a more complete man! we hope our son Nathaniel is as inspirational as you are...much gratitude for leading the way!

(3)
Aunty Sheryl,
April 18, 2010 1:26 PM

Dearest AY,
We are all so in awe of you. You are a true leader and a powerful example to your family as well as the Jewish People.
I am proud to be your Auntie.

(2)
Anonymous,
April 18, 2010 11:06 AM

May you have much success with this project

Your story is incredibly admirable. May G-d grant you much success with your plans and may he watch over you and all those who join you. May G-d grant that there will be many more with your spirit and detrmination. We need you and more like you.

(1)
Parave Rebbe,
April 18, 2010 10:17 AM

Compliments and Pride

Dear Sir:
How awesome is your story and how inspirational you are!
Oh if only your story and your Belief were known to the many lost young people of our faith. It is such a true life experience that so many of us must have. We do not need
those stupid Israeli movies that have no lessons to learn or
inspiration to deliver.
We need your life story to know that we are JEWS and Proud of it too!
Yesher koach buddy!

I've been striving to get more into spirituality. But it seems that every time I make some progress, I find myself slipping right back to where I started. I'm getting discouraged and feel like a failure. Can you help?

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

Spiritual slumps are a natural part of spiritual growth. There is a cycle that people go through when at times they feel closer to God and at times more distant. In the words of the Kabbalists, it is "two steps forward and one step back." So although you feel you are slipping, know that this is a natural process. The main thing is to look at your overall progress (over months or years) and be able to see how far you've come!

This is actually God's ingenious way of motivating us further. The sages compare this to teaching a baby how to walk. When the parent is holding on, the baby shrieks with delight and is under the illusion that he knows how to walk. Yet suddenly, when the parent lets go, the child panics, wobbles and may even fall.

At such times when we feel spiritually "down," that is often because God is letting go, giving us the great gift of independence. In some ways, these are the times when we can actually grow the most. For if we can move ourselves just a little bit forward, we truly acquire a level of sanctity that is ours forever.

Here is a practical tool to help pull you out of the doldrums. The Sefer HaChinuch speaks about a great principle in spiritual growth: "The external awakens the internal." This means that although we may not experience immediate feelings of closeness to God, eventually, by continuing to conduct ourselves in such a manner, this physical behavior will have an impact on our spiritual selves and will help us succeed. (A similar idea is discussed by psychologists who say: "Smile and you will feel happy.")

That is the power of Torah commandments. Even if we may not feel like giving charity or praying at this particular moment, by having a "mitzvah" obligation to do so, we are in a framework to become inspired. At that point we can infuse that act of charity or prayer with all the meaning and lift it can provide. But if we'd wait until being inspired, we might be waiting a very long time.

May the Almighty bless you with the clarity to see your progress, and may you do so with joy.

In 1940, a boatload 1,600 Jewish immigrants fleeing Hitler's ovens was denied entry into the port of Haifa; the British deported them to the island of Mauritius. At the time, the British had acceded to Arab demands and restricted Jewish immigration into Palestine. The urgent plight of European Jewry generated an "illegal" immigration movement, but the British were vigilant in denying entry. Some ships, such as the Struma, sunk and their hundreds of passengers killed.

If you seize too much, you are left with nothing. If you take less, you may retain it (Rosh Hashanah 4b).

Sometimes our appetites are insatiable; more accurately, we act as though they were insatiable. The Midrash states that a person may never be satisfied. "If he has one hundred, he wants two hundred. If he gets two hundred, he wants four hundred" (Koheles Rabbah 1:34). How often have we seen people whose insatiable desire for material wealth resulted in their losing everything, much like the gambler whose constant urge to win results in total loss.

People's bodies are finite, and their actual needs are limited. The endless pursuit for more wealth than they can use is nothing more than an elusive belief that they can live forever (Psalms 49:10).

The one part of us which is indeed infinite is our neshamah (soul), which, being of Divine origin, can crave and achieve infinity and eternity, and such craving is characteristic of spiritual growth.

How strange that we tend to give the body much more than it can possibly handle, and the neshamah so much less than it needs!